SI Most Influential list a sobering reminder of Lakers' huge fumble

The Los Angeles Lakers have spent the 2024 offseason leaving fans with questions about what could've been. Big names became rumored free agent targets and one of the most decorated college basketball coaches on the planet nearly made the jump to the NBA.

The latter of the two developments continues to sting after the coach who many feel should be in Los Angeles heading into the 2024-25 season received a new round of resounding praise.

Los Angeles hired former NBA player and analyst JJ Redick to become a first-year head coach in 2024-25. Before that decision was made, however, the Lakers publicly courted Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley before the 51-year-old ultimately decided to remain in the NCAA.

In the recent release of The 2024 SI Power List, Sports Illustrated named the almost-Lakers-coach one of the 50 most influential figures in sports.

"In a family of coaches, he had long been known as the “third Hurley,” behind father Bob and brother Bobby. But that was before Dan led UConn to back-to-back national championships while winning all 12 NCAA tournament games by double digits. Predictably, suitors came calling this offseason, but Hurley, 51, turned down a pair of tempting job offers—one from Kentucky and another from the Lakers, who dangled a six-year, $70 million deal. Hurley opted to stay with the Huskies for less than half that sum, setting himself up to build a dynasty in Storrs and become the face of men’s college basketball."

Hurley undoubtedly deserves the praise that he's received, but one can't help but feel the sting of the Lakers missing out on one of the best coaches in basketball.

Lakers target Dan Hurley named to SI Power List

Hurley entered the negotiations with the Lakers as one of the most accomplished coaches in college basketball. He helped Rhode Island win the Atlantic 10 Tournament in 2016-17 and the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship in 2017-18 before going on to coach the UConn Huskies in 2018.

Since making the move to Connecticut, Hurley has led the Huskies to back-to-back NCAA championships, a Big East Conference Championship, and a Big East Tournament win.

As the two-time defending NCAA champions, with a combined 68-11 record over the past two seasons, Hurley and the Huskies are on the cusp of history. After going 37-3 overall and 18-2 in conference in 2023-24, many believe the team can even survive losing four key players to the 2024 NBA Draft.

The former UConn players who were selected this past June were Stephon Castle at No. 4, Donovan Clingan at No. 7, Tristen Newton at No. 49, and Cam Spencer at No. 53.

Replenishing talent has become a habit for Hurley, however, and the culture he's built in Storrs is as strong as any in the country.

With an ability to help college players win and then turn pro, Hurley looked the part of the perfect Lakers candidate. They inevitably offered him a lucrative deal at six years and $70 million, which would've given him an annual salary that ranked in the top five among NBA head coaches.

As the NBA community reflects on the hiring process, however, many are of the belief that the Lakers should've handed Hurley a blank check—or at least upped the offer.

They are, after all, the Lakers.

Adding Hurley would've meant bringing in a coach who's part of a family that's as close to basketball royalty as it gets. Even beyond what his father Bob Hurley Sr. and brother Bobby Hurley have accomplished, Dan Hurley has been successful at every stop at the high school and collegiate levels.

Redick will have a chance to silence the critics in 2024-25, but the manner in which the Lakers arguably mishandled the Hurley process continues to leave a lasting wound.